Combined burner and gas-generator unit



A. 50 mm. COMBINED BURNER A APPLICATION FILED AUG=21 Lfig fififim ND GAS GENERATOR UNIT.

1919- RENEWED MN. 10,192].

5SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Oct A. E. GRANT. COMBINED BURNER AND GAS GENERATOR UNIT. APPLICATION FILED Aua,21,|919. RENEWED JAN. I0, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. E. GRANT. comma) BURNER AND GAS GENERATOR UNIT. APPLICATION FILED AUG,2|, I919- RENEWED JAN- 10.1921. U; Patentad 00% H, W21

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N 11 1212115I?1Q 1* A. E. GRANT. COMBINED BURN-ER AND GAS GENERATOR UNI? APPLICATION man Auc.21, 1919 RENEWED JAN. 10.1921.

L33 85@ Patented Oct. M, 1921.

} A.E. GRANT. 1 4 COMBINED BURNER AND GAS GENERATOR UNIT. APPLICATION Fl LED AUG-21, 1.91.9." RENEWED JAN. 10. 1921.

118931358; "Patented 111:1.1 '19211.

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ATBER'I E. GIMLNT, OF NEW YORK, N. T.

l 1 t me Application filed August 21, 1919, Serial No. 318,991.

T all whomit may concern.

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. Guam, a subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at New York. in the county of New York and State of New York. have invented a new and useful Tm )rovenient'in Combined Burner and Gasienerator Units, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. forming part of this specification, in wh1ch Figure 11s a side elevation of the pre- -ferred embodiment of the invention, the oil tank being shown in section;

Fig, 2 is a sectional view through the burner and 1 1g. 3 is a bottom plan view of the gas fixinp chamber;

Fig. 4 a plan view of the superheater coil;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the automatic water shutoff valve;

Fig. 6 a sectional view through one term of the steam andoil-mixing nozzles;

Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of the steam control;

Fig. 2; illustrates another modification of the steam control;

Fig.0 illustrates still another modification of the steam control; and

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view along the line X --X of Fig. 2.

The present invention relates to a combined burner and gas generator unit, which is fed with water and oil. The water and oil are combined in the generator into a gas which. is supplied to and burned at the combustion burner. The heat from the burner serves 'to gasify the water and oil, andthereby maintain a continuous supply of gas to the burner. The burne and gas generator unit is particularly designed to be placed in the chamber of steam boiler furnaces, hot water boiler furnaces, hot air ."humaces etc, but may he used any place where desired to generate heat.

The object of the invention is to provide an' improved apparatus of this type. and particularly one which will automatically shut 'off the water and oil supply in case the flame for any reasonis extinguished or goes out. The invention also relates to certain other arrangementsand combinations oi parts hereinafter more particularly pointed out, the advantages of which will be ap- Specification of Letters Patent.

gas generator, it also showing. .the water supply connections;

Patented that" it TQZL Renewed January 10, will. serial Ito. 436,392.

parent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention may be briefly described as follows:

The burner proper 2 and the gas generator are mounted inand on a box 3, which is designed to be placed in the combustion chamber of thefurnace to be heated. Water is supplied to a boiler 4 in which the w: ter is converted into steam. The steam passes through a superheating coil 5. which is maintained at a high temperature, into an expansion chamber in which the steam is still further heated and which serves'as a steam reservoir to equalize the flow. The highly superheated steam passes from the expansion chamber 6 through a suitable reg ulating valve to a steam nozzle 7. The steam issuing from this nozzle draws vaporized oil through an oil nozzle 8. The steam and vaporized oil are mixed and pass into a fixing chamber 9, in which the water and oil and vapors are fixed into a permanent gas. This gas is supplied to and burned at the burner 2. The oil is supplied to the oil nozzle 8 from an oil tank 10. the oil be- .ing drawn by suction up through a vertical pipe 11, which passes through the burner box 3 and expansion chamber 6, so that the oil is preheated and vaporized.

The apparatus is described in detail as follows:

The water is taken from a water connected with the city water mains and passes through a reducing, valve 2].. in which the water pressure is'reduced to the proper point. The reducing valve serves to maintain a reduced and constant pressure water feed for the burner. It is found that a pressure of about ten pounds to the square inch is satisfactory. The water after passing the reducing valve flows through pipe 22 and through check valve 23 into an equalizing reservoir 24. The top of the equalizing reservoir is closed so as to maintain an air cushion over the water therein. In case back pressures develop in the gas generator, it is taken care of by the equalizing reservoir. The water passing through the equalizing reservoir passes through the pipe 25 to the boiler 4. The pipe 25 is provided with a hand shut-off valve 26 and an automatic shut oii valve 27. The valve 27 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 5. It comprises a conica] valve .28, spring-pressed by a spring 29 against its seat and operated automatically pipe 20,

through an overflow receiving cup or vessel 30. The cup is mounted on the valve stem rod 31 which, as shown in Fig. 2, is pivotally supported in a bearing'32. The cup 30 projects to one side of the rod 31, so that when the cup 30 is filled with water, the weight of the water will turn it down, thereby turning the valve stem rod 31, and closing the valve 27. The cup 30 is placed directly beneath the burner 2. In case the burner goes out, water will be supplied thereto until sufficient water drips from the burner through the hole 33 in the bottom of the box 3 into the cup 30, to fill the cup and shut off the automatic valve 27. The water from the pipe 25 passes into the boiler l which is heated by the burner 2. In the boiler 4:, the water is converted into steam which passes from the top of the boiler 4 into the superheatingcoil 5. This coil 5 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4%. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the coil 5 is placed at the open top of the box 3 so as to receive the heat from the burner 2. In the superheating coil 5, the steam is superheated to a high temperature. It-is found that in'practice the coil is maintained at about a red heat. From the superheating coil 5,

the steam passes into an equalizing or expansion chamber 6, which is a substantial duplicate in form of the boiler l, being formed at the side of the box opposite the boiler l. The expansion chamber 6 is exposed to directheat from the burner 2, and serves to maintain and somewhat increase the temperature of the superheated steam. This equalizing or expansion chamber serves as a steam reservoir to insure a steadier flow of steam to the steam-discharge nozzle. The steam flows from the top of the expansion chamber 6, through a steam, supply pipe a0, to a saturater indicated generally by the reference numeral 41. The saturater comprises the nozzle 7 through which the steam is discharged at high velocity, and a nozzle 8, through which the oil is sucked up by the high velocity steam.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, the height of the flame is controlled by means 01 a movable injector nozzle, which is threaded into the casing 42, and which may be adjusted to and "from the oil supply nozzle 8, by means of a handle 4.3. By regulating the position of the adjustable steam nozzle, the suction on the oil may be varied, thereby raising" and lowering the flame at the burner 2. The volume of steam generated may be controlled by regulating the water supply by means of the valves 21 and 26.

In Fig. T is illustrated a modification in which the flame is controlled by means of an adjustable reducing valve 44, which is inserted in the steam supply pipe between the expansion chamber and the steam injector nozzle 7. By adjusting the reducing valve 44, the steam may be kept flowing with absolutely steady how and pressure, so that the flame is maintained steady. A livepound pressure at the reducing valve 414. is found, in practice, to give an absolutely steady low flame. the reducing valve is opened up, the increased pressure enlarges the flame.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated a modification in which the fiow of steam to the injector "-wz' cle T is controlled by means of a hand valve 45, permitting the hand rcgnl u, without, however, the automatic regulation of the reducing valve.

In Fig. 9 is illustratec still another modification in which the flow of steam to the injector nozzle 7 is controlled by means of a reducing valve H and a hand valve 4.5 giving both an automatic and a hand regulation.

The steam from the nozzle 7 creates suction from the mouth of the oil supply nozzle 8, drawing through it the previously vaporized oil. The steam and vaporized oil pass through a. mixing nozzle 50, into a fixing chamber or coil 9. This fixing! chamber in the form of a tortuous coi formed on the bottom of the top plate 551, which is mounted on but spaced from the top of the box 3. The top plat has openings 52,-which allow thellame ard the products of combustion to pass freely through this plate and around the fixing coil 9. The

fixing chamber or coil 9 is maintained at almost a white heat. In it, the mixture of steam and oil vapor is subjected to a temperature which I estimate to be. our 370W F., and-this causes the steam and oil vapor to combine as a fixed dry gas. Since the steam and oil are both preheatedv before en-- tering the fixing chamber to maintain this fixing chamber at a high heat. The gas from the fixing chamber 9 is led through pipe 55, to the burner where it is consumed. It is found that the generator will produce more gas than is ab-- solutely necessary to maintain sutlicient heat at the burner to continuously gasify fresh supplies of water and oil. This permits some gas to be taken away from the burner, if desired, for storage or for use in other gas burners. For example, if the burner and generator unit is used in the fire box of a furnace for heating a house, gas may be drawn from it. for use in a kitchen range or for illuminating purposes. As shown in Fig. 1, a branch pipe 56 is provided through, which excess gas may be drawn away. [1" it is not desired to use such excess gas, all tho gas may, of course, be consumed at the burner 2.

The burner 2, as illustrated. consists of a pipe having through it a number of holes 57, through which the gas issues. These holes are comparatively large, preferably about one-fourth of an inch in diameter.

9, it is possible tenants or It will be noted that there are no restricted openings in the gas-fixing chamber 9' or in the connections from the gas-firing chamber to the burner. 'l hisprevents any stutling up of the burner or its connections. over, there is no point at which carbonization can take place in the burner; but even if carbonization should take place, all of theholes are large enough so that it would be diliicult or impossible to stuff them up.

The oil is supplied from a larger oil receptacle, located at a safe distance, to a small oil tank 10, which holds about a gallon. The oil receptacle, on the tank 10 is maintained constant by means of a float valve 60. The oil flows through a connecting pi e 61, provided with a checl valve 62, to the bottom of the oil pipe 11, Which passes up through the burner box. As shown in the drawings this oil pipe 11 passes through the bottom oi the burner box and then through the expansion chamber 6, Where it is exposed to the highly superheated steam. The

heat is generally found suitie ize the oil, so that the oil in than liquid form, is drawn thin, h the oil nozzle '8, The tank 10 is placed so that the normal oil flow will be atabout the bottom or belowthe level of the burner. The oil is drawn up to the saturater 41 by means of the suction injector action of the steam. If,

r, rather for any reason, the burner is extinguished, or goes out, so that the generation of steam is stopped,*the supply of oil automatically ceases.

At. the bottom of the burner box 3 is an asbestos pad 70, which acts as a Wick to start the burner. To start the burner, oil

is poured on the Wick and burnt until the temperature of the gas generator is brought to the proper starting point, after which the Water and steam supply valves are adjusted so that the flame will be maintained at the desired point. The burner will then continue, the flame being automatically maintained at the point at which it Was originally set.

In case any back pressure develops, due to sudden expansion of steam in the boiler, the superhcating coil or other parts of the gas generator, such expansion will back up the Water through the pipe 25. Thecheck valve 23 prevents the back pressure from backing up in the Water main. The back pressure is absorbed by the equalizing reser- 'cushion absorbs any shocks which may be due to driving the Water back through the pipe 25. During normal operation, however. the Water flows continuously through th pipe 25 into the boiler fl, the equalizing reservoir 24 being; provided as a. salety device to meet emergencies.

Morell, for any reason, the flame should be extlnguished, the Water is automatically shut 0%. Suppose that the flame of the burner 22 is accidentally extinguished. The Water will continue to flow into the boiler and will then fill up the superheatingr coil 5, the expansion chamber 6 and fixing chamber 9, and Will flow down into the burner 2. The water Will drop from the burner 2 into the cup 30, which when filled will move down Wardly, turning the'valvc stem 31 and shut? ting oil the Water valve 27. The extinguishing of the burner 2 will, of course, immediately stop the production of steam, so that there will no longer be a suction drawing the oil up through the: nozzle 8, so that the oil Will immediately fall in the pipe ll to the level of the oil in the tank 10, thus preeluding any danger from oil dripping from the burner.

The present invention relates to the same type of gas burner as l have disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 279,- Sll, but discloses certain improvements therein.

While I have s ecifically illustrated and described the pre erred embodiment of my invention, it will he understood that. the invention is not limited to its illustrated em: bodiment, but may be embodied in other structures Within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A heating unit adapted to heat the fire chamber of a furnace or boiler, comprising the combination of a flame forming burner, injector means in advance of said burner and adapted to mix oil and steam, an oil supply having a constant level below said injector means, a steam generator, independent of the furnace or boiler, heated by said burner flame and adapted to draw up auto matically said oil to said injector, vaporize it and feed it to said burner, means for maintaining a substantially constant steam flow from said generator to said injector" while said burner is in operation, and means for stopping'thc flow of steam to thc'injector when the burner flame ceases.

2. A heating unit adapted to heat the fire chamber of a furnace or boiler, comprising the combination of a flame forming burner, injector means in advance of said burner and adapted to mix oil and steam, an oil supply having a constant level below said injector means, a steam generator, independent of the furnace or boiler, heated by said burner flame and adapted to draw up automatically said oil to said injector, vaporize it and feed it to said burner, and means for maintaining a substantially constant steam flow from said generator to said injector While said burner is in operation, the said generator having a capacity approximately equal to supplying sullicient steam to Mill draw up automatically said oil to said injector, vaporize it and feed it to the burner, whereby the steam generation and oil feed will cease contemporaneously with. the cessation of burner flame. i

A heating unit adapted to heat the fire chamber of a furnace or boiler, comprising the combination of a flame forming burner, injector means in advance of said burner and adapted to mix oil and steam, an oil supply having a constant level below said injector means, a steam generator, independent of the furnace or boiler, heated by said burner flame and adapted to draw up automatically said oil to said injector, vaporize it and feed it to said burner, means for maintaining a substantially constant steam flow from said generator to said injector while said burner is in operation, a fixing chamber heated by said burner intermediate the injector means and the burner, and means for stopping the flow of stcamto the injector when the burner flame ceases.

i. In an oil burner adapted to be placed in the firebox of a furnace or boiler the combination with a water supply for the burner, 'ot' a generator unit there'ftor, an oil supply, means for automatically feeding the oil from said supply by the steam from said generator, and means for automatically shutting off the water supply by unconsumed liquid from said burner.

5. A combined gas burner and generator unit, comprising a burner, 21 fixing chamber for supplying gas to the burner, means for suppiying steam to the fixing chamber including an inclosed steam nozzle through which the steam is discharged at high velocity, and means for supplying oil to the fixing chamber comprising an oil nozzle over which the high velocity steam is discharged, oil supply means having a constant level, and means adjustable from the outside for relatively adjusting the steam and oil nozzles to vary the suction exerted by the steam on the oil nozzle and re ulatc the proportions of steamand oil, suiistantially as described.

6. In an oil burner the combination with a base plate and overflow tray of a steam generator supported in spaced relation thereto comprising an integral casting having passages on opposite sides for-generating steam, said passages bein connected to gether and to a steam nozzle injector for supplying a mixture of steam and oil to the burner, and means for directing the burner flame between said passages.

7. In an oil burner the combination with a main water supply, of a generator adapted to be inserted in the firebox of a furnace or boiler, a combustible mixture forming nozzle supplied with steam from said generator, means for varying the supply of steam to said nozzle from said generator, and means for absorbing the back pressure of steam from said generator comprising a reservoir of water outside of said firebox and containing 2i body of water in said main water supply actin to condense any steam driven back by the pressure in said generator.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT E. GRANT. 

